Sugar Grove
By Paula Mitchell
The third of six children born to Lester and Glenna Puffenbarger on Nov. 18, 1942, was Kenneth Dale “K.D.” Puffenbarger. The family lived at the “head of Stoney Run” in the home of Evelyn Varner, after which they moved to the Mongold Place. It was in his teenaged years that he had his mother to sign for him to join the Navy, spending about four years of service, basically in Adak, Alaska.
When he was in the Alexander hospital, he met his wife, Verla, who worked at the Lunch Box which was owned and operated by K.D.’s uncles. They married Sept. 25, 1964, after which they spent some time in Kentucky to help take care of Verla’s mother. Upon their return to Sugar Grove, they lived in Possum Trot, next to the Virgil Homan home.
Three children joined the family, Danita, Beth, and Kennie with all attending the local schools. In time he had five grandchildren, and two great-grandsons. The family then moved to Stoney Run where K.D. had bought some land from his aunt and uncle, Leora and Everett Grogg.
K.D. took up professional truck driving, leaving out Sunday afternoon and returning Friday. Prior to leaving, Danita would shine his boots, after which the children would line up to bid their goodbyes. For his 44 years of trucking, he was given the plaque for the 3 million Mile Club, of which he was very proud. He worked for Bowman Bag Company, and North and South Lines. His handle was “Tricky Foot,” and he kept his truck in a meticulous condition. As a matter of fact, all of his vehicles would be kept in a meticulous order.
He taught all of his children to learn to drive with a stick shift. He felt that they would be quite knowledgeable under any circumstance were they to have this experience.
His love for animals was evident with his horse “Pride” and miniature donkeys, “Festus” and “Miss Kitty.” Making sure they were well taken care of was his main objective.
The VFW was near and dear to his heart. He was a lifetime member of the VFW Post 9666, having been a U.S. Navy veteran. The Saturday Sugar Grove Lions Club and VFW barbecue chicken was where he would stock up on chicken for his family. K.D. was a neat freak and very particular in the landscape that surrounded his home. His hobby — he loved to be always working in the Sugar Grove community which he loved. He especially loved eating hot dogs!
Being a Lutheran all of his days, his funeral was held at St. Paul Independent Church. A hymn that speaks to the occasion would be: “And when my task on earth is done, When, by Thy grace, the vict’ry’s won, E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee, Since God thro’ Jordan leadeth me. He leadeth me, He leadeth me! By His own hand He leadeth me! His faithful foll’wer I would be, For by His hand he leadeth me.”
Sympathy is extended to the family during this difficult time.
New Years little instructions for daily living include the following:
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Pause to notice beauty.
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Be kinder than necessary; e.g. if a person sees someone being ignored, find a way to include them.
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Don’t dwell upon minor things that could affect relationships.
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If one sees someone falling behind, walk with them.
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Always remind people of their worth.
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Family means having someone to love one unconditionally in spite of a person and one’s shortcomings. Family is loving and supporting one another even when it’s not easy to do so. Be kind.
Christmas decorations were pretty scant along all roads leading out of Sugar Grove. The writer believes that this is the first time in 100 years that Sugar Grove did not have any Christmas decorations.
Tuesday morning found the residents enjoying about an inch of snow. Winds have been very chilling with temperatures staying very low.
The first full moon of 2026 was the Wolf supermoon, appearing larger than normal in the sky due to being near the closest point of its earthly orbit.
This week’s quotes are as follows:
“When you begin a journey of revenge, start by digging two graves: one for your enemy, and one for yourself.” — Jodi Picoults
“Friendship is a sheltering tree.” — Samuel Taylor Coleridge
“A lie doesn’t become truth. Wrong doesn’t become right and evil doesn’t become good, just because it’s accepted by the majority.” — Booker T. Washington
“Gratitude. Help us to see what is there instead of what isn’t.” — Annette Bridges
“Heart is what separates the good from the great.” — Michael Jordan
Sitting by the fireplace is the best place to hear the “Talk of The Grove.”
Christmas is a time for families to enjoy the season with dinners that include much laughter.
At the home of Tom and Paula Mitchell, much fun and delicious foods that was surrounded with many Christmas memories, was enjoyed by Jennifer, Tim and Morgan Hoover of Bridgewater, Virginia, Allison and Damian Morris of Fulks Run, Virginia, Janelle, Jace, Destiny and Ben Sroka of Charlotte North Carolina, and Brandon, Cara, Macie, Carson, and Carly Mitchell.
Saturday found 30 + family and friends gathering at the home of Evelyn Varner to enjoy their Christmas dinner with delicious foods and lots of laughter. A good time was had by all in attendance. New Year’s Eve found Evelyn, Rose Brackman, Janet Judy and Terry Harper motoring to Dayton’s Victory Fellowship Church to enjoy Jeff and Sherri Easter’s concert. They also enjoyed hearing the Will and Langdon Reid duo.
During Christmas break, Wesley, Becky, Emma, Ben and Nathan Puffenbarger visited with Wesley’s aunt, Bonnie Reynolds in Toronto, Ohio. They also saw the Christmas lights at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling.
While visiting with Phil Downs, Tara Kelley and Amelia Gibson attended the funeral of K.D. Puffenbarger. Phil reports that he visited with his aunt, Cleo Simmons, on Christmas Day, and with the K.D. Puffenbarger family on Christmas Eve
Natasha Nieves of Boca Raton, Florida, spent several days visiting with her grandparents, Willard and Judy Rader. Willard, Judy and Natasha enjoyed a delicious Christmas Eve noon meal and visiting in the beautiful home of Mike and Robin DelBiondo in Stoney Run. They also enjoyed Christmas Eve playing games and good food in the home of Willie and Donna Rader. Natalie Nieves, granddaughter, and Alex Fattore of Huntington also spent several days visiting with Willard and Judy. Willard, Judy, Natasha, Natalie and Alex also had another delicious meal on Christmas Day in the home of Benny and Linda Custer. They had a great Christmas.
Great-great-grandmother, Mary Lea Rexrode of Franklin, and great-grandparents, Wayne and Paula Price, are very proud at the birth of Wrenley Elizabeth Rexrode. She was born Nov. 4, having the same birthday as her grandmother, Rachel Rexrode. Congratulations, Addison and Destiny.
Helen and Rhonda Nash enjoyed the holiday season with Christmas celebrations over the course of several days. Their visitors included Vickie Nash of Fredericksburg, Virginia, Todd and Cathy Nash of Kinston, North Carolina, Terri Lowery of Spotsylvania, Virginia, Holly Mangum and children, Kinsley and Levi of Ruther Glen, Virginia, Dorsey and Scott Owens of Buckhannon and Greg and Julie Jessee of Monterey, Virginia. Christmas gifts are still under their tree, awaiting more loved ones. They may extend the season into midwinter and continue to light up the dark nights.
Clickety-clacks for the chin waggers are as follows:
•A shark is the only fish that can blink with both eyes.
•Chickens can distinguish between 100 faces.
•Ketchican, Alaska, is the home to one of the world’s largest stands of totems.
•Separate mountain ranges in Papua, New Guinea, have called for each village to have its own language with around 1,000 languages spoken on the island.
Birthdays for January include Janelle Mitchell Sroka, Carrol Propst, Lia Hull and Wanda Shaffer, first; Lyle Simmons, second; Wendell Nelson, fourth; Ivan Lamb and Kathy McKenzie, fifth; Laney Bowers, seventh; Bridget Nelson, Sue Kimble and Jeff Pitsenbarger, eighth; Ronnie Kimble and Bonnie Huffman, ninth; Charles Nelson, Julie Koontz and Helen Nash, 10th; Joanne Moyers, 11th; Bob Hoops and Donna Bowers, 12th; Patsy Hammer, Margaret Hedrick and Amy Gardiner, 13th; Tammy Mitts, Joyce Burgoyne and Ricky Bennett, 14th; Danielle Hull and Junior Crider, 15th; and Danny Wilburn, 16th.
Concerns are for Mike Adams, Charles Anderson, Alfred Armstrong, Joan and Roger Ashley, Mike Baker, Dave Basagic, Allen Beachler, Bobbie Bodkin, “Bo” Boggs, the John Burns family, Larry Byers, Doreen Calhoun, Joyce Calhoun, Marie Cole, Kim Crane, the Ronnie Crisco family, Stanley Dahmer, Kim Davis, Tommy Davis, Phil Downs, Steve Durham, Jennifer Errett, Isaac Eye, Mary Eye, Carl Gant, David Gillispie, Nan Goland, Nancy Gonshor, Patsy Green, JC Hammer, Steve and Armanda Heavner, Hannah Hedrick, Jack and Starr Hedrick, Chuck and Tracy Hiett, Jim Hiner, Evan Hise, Tim Hively, Edsel and Mary Ann Hogan, Karen Holsten, Julia Homan, Charlie Marie Hoover, Keith Hoover, Debbie Horst, Bob and Cynthia Hurry, Mike and Lisa Jamison, Linda Jones, Richard Judy, Marsha Keller, Tara Kelley, Ruth Kile, Kim Kline, Tracie Knight, Laura Kropp, Melissa Lambert, Robert Lambert, Rex Landis, Shannon Maloy, Donna Mallow, Roger and Skip Mallow, Audree Marsh, Anna Mauzy, Ed May, Dave McConnell, Gene and Joan McConnell, Gary McDonald, Rose Miller, Bruce Minor, Carroll and Dottie Mitchell, Dennis and Jamie Mitchell, Tom Mitchell, Barbara Moats, Gloria Moats, Sherri Moyers, Helen Nash, Aaron Nelson, Dominique Nelson, Dwight Nelson, Ruth Nelson, Cheryle Paine, Terri Parker, Andy Pond, Wayne Price, Janice Propst, Alda Propst, Mike Propst, Sheldon Propst, Eldon “Butch” Puffenbarger, the K.D. Puffenbarger family, Tom Rader, Willard Rader, Jason Rexrode, Jimmy Rexrode, Linda Fay Rexrode, Vesta Ruckman, Bernie Sasscer, Annie Simmons, Erin Simmons, Eva Simmons, Greg Simmons, Judy Simmons, Nelson Simmons, Tonya Simon, Robbie Sites, Mike Skiles, Bruce Smith, Ed and Carolyn Smith, Iva Smith, Natalie Stephenson, Tina Stuben, Steve Stump, Carolyn Thomas, Linda and Larry Vandevander, Judy Vetter, Junior Waggy, Mary Louise Waldschlager, Rene White, Sherry Wilfong, Judy Williams, Patty Willis and Ann and Ed Wimer.
The writer wishes her readers “A Happy New Year!”
